Joseph George Fabiano

Joe Fabiano was easygoing and fun-loving, a guy who would have been happiest living in a tee-pee in the woods. Joe loved to have fun, and he was happiest when the people around him were having fun too. Whether he was handing out candy to children who mistook him for Santa Claus, bowling or playing softball, or just chatting with friends, Joe always had a smile on his face. His light heart and infectious laugh will be deeply missed by the many people whose lives he touched.

Joseph George Fabiano was born on March 2, 1936, to proud parents Joseph Ralph and Erdene “Suzy” (Smith) Fabiano. Joe was the third oldest of five children, and grew up in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, with his siblings Mary Lou, Joanne, Richard, and James. Joseph Sr. owned and operated Fabiano Brothers, a beer and wine wholesaling company, while Suzy stayed at home to raise the children.

Joe loved all his siblings, but was especially close to his sister Joanne. One day in the late 1940s, he and Joanne were enjoying a boat ride on School Section Lake in Mecosta County. Suddenly, they were shocked to see the entire back half of the boat detach and sink, engine and all! Joe and Joanne made it back to shore safely, but the boat was never recovered – they just happened to be over the deepest part of the lake. Joe also shared a special bond with his Uncle Frank.

Athletic and outgoing, Joe participated in lots of extracurricular activities in his high school years. Between baseball, football, and basketball, he didn’t have much of an off-season! Joe graduated from Sacred Heart Academy of Mt. Pleasant in 1954. He then went on to Central Michigan University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business, and a minor in English.

While Joe was still in high school, he met a young lady named Helen Julia Kile. Joe and Helen met at a dance in 1953, and started dating. The young couple soon fell in love, and was married in a side altar service at Sacred Heart Church in 1954. Although the marriage would ultimately end in divorce, Joe and Helen were blessed with five children: Joseph, Thomas (who died as an infant), John, Cynthia, and Kimberly.

In his free time, Joe loved hunting pheasant and deer. This was a passion that he shared with his parents, and he often went hunting with his father. He also enjoyed all kinds of outdoor sports, especially baseball and softball. Joe was active in the community, and a proud member of the ROTC, the American Legion, and the Moose Club.

Joe was the spitting image of Santa Claus, especially as the years went by and he got a few white hairs. Joe loved dressing up as Santa during the holidays, and all year long it was not uncommon for children to come up and politely ask if he was St. Nick. Joe never minded being asked – in fact, he made a habit of carrying candy around for just such occasions! Generous and fun-loving, Joe loved children, and he himself was really a child at heart.

Joe enjoyed following sports, and he was a big fan of the Detroit Tigers and the Red Wings. One of the greatest days of his life occurred in 2006, when he had the opportunity to attend Game One of the World Series in Detroit. The Tigers were playing the St. Louis Cardinals, and Joe was thrilled to be cheering in the stands.

Outgoing, kind-hearted, and fun-loving, Joe was a real “character,” a guy whose quirks and good-natured antics brightened the lives of everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends and family members.

Joseph George Fabiano died on August 29, 2012, at the age of 76. Joe’s family includes his children, Joseph Fabiano of Mt. Pleasant, John Fabiano of Shepherd, Cynthia (Brian) Brink of Haslett, and Kimberly (Roger) Fussman of Mt. Pleasant; his grandchildren, Nicole, Michael and Krista, Janie and Collin, and Hanna; his siblings, Mary Lou Claire of Ludington, Richard (Mary Jane) Fabiano of Grand Rapids, and James (Lee) Fabiano of Mt. Pleasant; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Thomas Fabiano; his sister, Joanne Fabiano Lannen Withers; his infant granddaughter, Sarah Fabiano; and the mother of his children, Helen Fabiano.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, August 31, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Loren Kalinowski presiding and Deacon Larry Fussman assisting. Cremation will follow and his ashes will be interred at Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Thursday from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. with the Vigil beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Friday one hour prior to Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Academy Foundation or to Woodland Hospice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Please visit Joe’s personal memory page at www.CharlesRLux.com, where you can learn more about his life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.